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Reviewers agree that the passenger cabin of the 2010 Ford Taurus may not be quite what you'd expect to find in a luxury car, but it is close - something remarkable in this price range. A stylish, sweeping twin-cowl dash and waterfall center stack show a design flair not common to affordable large cars. A suite of advanced electronics, including Ford's remarkable SYNC system, also sets the Taurus apart from its competitors. The cockpit is not without flaws - a few hard plastics seem out of place - but it's designed to impress.

"In upper trim guises, the cabin is arguably more posh than Lincoln's MKS. ... A stylish Ford Taurus cabin seems almost oxymoronic, but with its twin-cowl dash and waterfall center stack, that's exactly what it is." -- Edmunds

"This Taurus possesses a better-executed cabin than we've seen in some luxury cars costing in excess of $10,000 more." -- Autoblog

"Taurus' cabin doesn't quite match the ambiance of most luxury nameplates, but it holds its own." -- Consumer Guide

"We've regularly faulted American manufacturers for their use of hard plastics in interiors. The 2010 Taurus, like the new Mustang, has gone a long way in addressing that criticism." -- Road and Track

Ford Taurus Pictures

Seating

Test drivers find the standar front seats on the 2010 Ford Taurus comfortable, but the standard seats get little attention in the press. More often, reviewers rave about the optional Multi-Contour seats, which subtly inflate and deflate several internal air bladders to change shape, helping to reduce driver fatigue. The rear seat is one of the largest available - reviewers say three adults can actually fit comfortably.

"The front bucket seats are all-day comfortable. The available multi-contour seats feature power lumbar and air bladders that automatically inflate and deflate to provide something of a massage function. A wide up and down and front and back range of travel ensures most will find an accommodating driving position." -- Consumer Guide

"The chunky seats wouldn't be out of place in a men's club." -- Fortune

"The updated Taurus is one of those rare cars in which the center rear seat is actually adult-habitable for more than five blocks." -- Car and Driver

"The new Taurus actually has more room for rear seat passengers than the [Crown Victoria], with 38.1 compared to 38.0" of legroom." -- Jalopnik

Interior Features

Reviewers find the interior of the Taurus well-designed, with logically-placed controls and easy-to-use electronics that out-class most of its large car competition. Most materials are appropriate for the price, but several writers note hard plastics in a few places - including the sides of the center console, where the knees of taller drivers often rest. Ford's SYNC system is present on all but the base model. Something found on no other car in its class, SYNC allows drivers to control Bluetooth-enabled devices inside the car, like cell phones and MP3 players, with voice commands. It has consistently earned reviewer praise in every Ford vehicle that offers it.

"In light of its modest price point, the Taurus should be a shoo-in "Tech Car of the Year" candidate for the boys and gals over at CNET. Not only can you get Ford's voice-activated navigation system with Sirius Travel Link (in our estimation, probably the best system in the business, irrespective of price), you can also get such luxury features as a gangbusters Sony Dolby 5.1 surround system." -- Autoblog

"Adding to the quietness and space, the technology available on the Taurus honestly boosts it into luxury territory. Notice the lack of "near" in that statement. We drove the $27,995 SEL model - expected to make up the majority of the Taurus's volume - equipped with the third and latest version of Sync and felt positively spoiled." -- Jalopnik

"While the interior is cleverly designed and well-built, some of the materials detract from an otherwise successful execution." -- Edmunds

"Brightly lit gauges are easy to read. Most controls are handy and self evident. Audio and climate functions are largely separate from the optional navigation system, but a touch screen on models so equipped makes their operation simpler." -- Consumer Guide

Cargo

The Taurus boasts one of the largest trunks available in an affordable car - more than 20 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats fold down to expand the space if you should actually need more. Reviewers say the Taurus offers decent storage space inside the cabin as well, with deep door pockets and an unusual three cupholders for the front seats.

"The trunk is vast: more than 20 cubic feet, which can be augmented by folding the rear seatbacks." -- Car and Driver

"The trunk is wide and deep, with an opening large enough to accommodate fairly substantial cargo. A split-folding rear seat adds further versatility. Finding three cupholders in the front center console is a nice surprise. Interior storage is adequate otherwise, with decently sized door pockets, center console, and glovebox." -- Consumer Guide